Cashing In on Their Checks

Here’s the Clippers’ defensive checklist for their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets:

1. Limit fastbreak opportunities.

2. Harass forward Carmelo Anthony.

3. Rotate to shooters on the perimeter.

4. Thwart point guard Andre Miller’s penetration.

Well, three out of four wasn’t bad to start.

Coach Mike Dunleavy gave the Clippers high marks for the first three items in an 89-87 Game 1 victory at Staples Center but wasn’t satisfied with their defense against Miller, who scored 25 points and got into the lane throughout the game.

Considering the Clippers played well on defense overall and won, is Miller’s production acceptable?

“Ah, no,” Dunleavy said Monday before his team limited Miller to 14 points in Game 2. “We’ve got to do a better job.”

Miller, a former Clipper, is among the NBA’s best at leading the fastbreak and penetrating, and he’s adept at scoring inside.

His strength and ballhandling skills present matchup problems for the Clippers, who must work together in an attempt to contain Miller.

“Everybody’s got to be a part of it,” Dunleavy said. “When you have somebody who does something well, and you want to limit it, then everybody has to concentrate.

“I don’t know if we’re great individual defenders, but we’re pretty good as a team, and five can stop one guy every place that I’ve ever been. We have to be doing what we’re supposed to be doing.”

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As expected, the Nuggets often double-teamed post players Elton Brand and Chris Kaman in Game 1.

Denver Coach George Karl was expected to stick with the strategy because the productive tandem led the Clippers to four victories in the teams’ five meetings this season before Monday.

Brand has been effective in passing to perimeter players in the opener and also got the ball to Kaman in good scoring position late in Game 1.

Reacting well to Denver’s double-team combinations is among the keys to the Clippers’ continued success, players said.

“Our bigs have to be able to pass the ball out of the double-teams, because they’re going to keep doubling,” point guard Sam Cassell said.

“Like we double Carmelo, they’re doubling E.B. and Kaman. They make good passes out, and we’re stroking the ball, we’ll be successful.”

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Forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who suffered a sprained left wrist in Game 1, played 20 minutes in Game 2 and scored eight points.... Denver forward Kenyon Martin suffered a bruised left knee in the second quarter and did not return.